Am I a candidate for Fleur de Li's tummy tuck? Insurance approved me for panniculectomy. (photos)

Thanks for this question.I think that a regular TT would be best for you based on these photos. The FDL TT is usually used for those people with more laxity in their central abdomen. It is a good operation but does have some added risks and of course a scar that you can't hide in a two piece swimsuit.

A tummy tuck may be the best procedure based upon the pictures presented.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. Based on the photos provided you appear to be a good candidate for a TT. Now the question is which one. The FDL TT is good for patients that have both vertical and horizontal skin laxity. It will leave you with both a low horizontal scar and a midline vertical scar. A board certified PS will help you determine what is best for you. I would caution you that your insurance company has approved you for a panniculectomy which is different from a TT. If a TT is performed you may recieve a unexpected bill from the hospital for the extra time and supplies. Best of luck

You appear to have a lot of loose extra skin in your abdomen. You can either have a traditional low horizontal scar with your abdominoplasty or a T-shaped fleur de lis scar. There are pros and cons of each and it is best to discuss this with your surgeon. I would recommend not having surgery until you are at your goal weight. Good luck!

Typically, there will be significant abdominal wall laxity which needs to be repaired as well as the excessive soft tissue in the flanks that needs to be removed. There is also buttocks atrophy associated with weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.In my opinion, a flour-di-lis incision is rarely indicated and can cause additional healing problems due to the triangle that is created in the lower abdomen and the umbilicus being inset in the vertical incision.  Unless a vertical scar is already present, the vertical component in a fleur-de-lis is an unnecessary scar in most patients if the geometry of an abdominoplasty and flankplasty are designed properly.A panniculectomy can be indicated when there is skin irritation in the lower abdominal fold or if physical activities are mechanically impeded due to the soft tissue mass.The optimal procedure would be a "lower body lift", which would include an abdominoplasty, flankplasty and buttocks augmentation with fat grafts.  The other body contour concerns could be addressed in future stages.

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your weight loss. Sorry I don't  know of any plastic surgeon's in Rochester. I will however say that a lower body lift in my opinion is a far superior procedure for post massive weight loss patients. Peter Fisher M.D.